More than $820 million was spent by tourists who traveled to play on Arkansas lakes in 2010, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers State Level Report.

With 27 Corps lakes in Arkansas, more than 12.8 million boaters, fishermen and skiers enjoy access to 56 marinas, 276 boat ramps and 17 fishing docks.

For eager water sports enthusiasts, Arkansas lakes are re-entering safe-use-mode for 2013 and offer a variety of fun-filled summer recreation opportunities for boating and fishing now that water levels are returning to normal.

Personal water craft (PWC) are making their way back onto the lake. With a few tips from parks officials which emphasize safety, mariners can navigate their PWC on the lake with little concern for any major issues when safety guidelines are followed.

Lake Dardanelle’s level hasn’t experienced much fluctuation, park superintendent Andy Thomas said Monday. The Corps has managed to control the lake level.

“The small craft advisory is for the channel. Most of the lake is safe,” he said. “Safety is not that big of an issue as long as people get their boat checked for safe operation, wear personal flotation devices (PFD) and stay away from the barge channel.

“We held the Wounded Warrior fishing tournament Saturday and the Vince Miller Super Team Couples tournament Sunday. We had no boating complaints or incidents reported.”

Thomas said park officials prescribe safety at all times, no matter what water conditions are. The park offers personal water craft safety education free to the public on a regular basis for all ages.

Fishing on Lake Dardanelle has been exciting for avid and novice fishermen lately. The size and number of fish caught recently exceeded expectations.

“Bass and catfish are hot right now,” Thomas said. “The fish are bigger and healthier than they have been in the past 10 years.”

Water temperatures are in the mid-80s at Dardanelle Lake, Chuck Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service said, according to a June 5 Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) report.

“Crappie are slow, but some larger fish have been caught on minnows in five feet of water,” he said. “In the lower section of the lake, bass can be taken on jigs, frogs, buzzbaits, crankbaits, swim baits and stick worms on riprap, brush piles and new vegetation.

Other lakes in Arkansas have experienced similar results in past weeks.

Although the waters on state lakes rose at an alarming rate due to increased rains amounts, lake life normalcy seems to be returning.

Jeff Mays of Anglers Outpost Guide Service reported to the AGFC, recreational boat and PWC activity on Greers Ferry is up with water temperatures in the mid to upper 70s.

“Most crappie have spawned and bass are on beds and catchable by a variety of methods,” he said. “Try a Texas-rigged or Carolina-rigged lizard on the beds.”

“Catfishing is good from dam to dam on liver, cut shad and redworms.”

More fishermen likely are interested in good catches and days of enjoyment on the water than chasing records.

Greers Ferry has varieties and chances to suit most boaters and anglers the AGFC report stated.

South Fork, Middle Fork and Devil’s fork are the major feeders. Choctaw Creek on the upper end and Peter Creek on the lower end are fish productive, according to AGFC’s report. Numerous smaller creeks can also be rewarding.

“Catfishing, white bass fishing, crappie fishing and bream fishing are all productive,” Mays said. “This is the case much of the time and especially this time of the year on the north-central Arkansas lake.”

South centrally located near Kirby, Lake Greeson abounded with crappie, bass, walleye, and trout Saturday and Sunday at Self Creek Marina, according to professional Action Fishing guide Jerry Blake.

“One of our fishing tour patrons caught nearly 30 crappie during a short period of time Saturday,” he said. “They were catching one after the other.

“The average weight-per-fish for that catch was between three and a half to four pounds. We have seen an increase in the average weight-per-fish and number caught this year.”

Boating and other PWC activity is up as well after the rain subsided, Self Creek Marina general manager Jim Mishler said.

Boaters are returning to the water since the lake level started rapidly returning to normal levels.

“We haven’t had any boating or other PWC incidents on the lake so far this year,” he said. “Although water levels rose after the heavy rains came through, potentially raising hazardous conditions, there were no reports from boaters stating the lake presented significantly treacherous conditions for boating or enjoying other PWC activities such as tubing or water skiing.”